2021-10-14: Show an animated GIF of text messages to show users what to expect.

[jayhill]

Feature Request

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. If I were encountering this for the first time, I'm not sure I'd know quite what to expect from this system, especially when my only feedback after clicking the button is the "Submission accepted" (or whatever the verbiage is) text.

I'd wonder:

• How far ahead will I be reminded?
• How many texts am I going to get?
• What will they look like?

Describe the solution you'd like

• [ ] Show a mockup (animated .gif for extra credit) of the text reminders

Describe alternatives you've considered Or just give a little more information with a textual explanation.

[ejaxon]

I have added introductory text at the top of the search as well as just before submitting the phone number for notification that addresses all these points. For now it's just in the development branch.

Intro text:

This site lets you sign up for text message reminders about upcoming criminal court dates in Buncombe County. It is free for use by anyone. Simply search for a name, select one of the resulting defendants, and provide a phone number that can receive text messages.

The site is maintained by volunteers for the benefit of the community. It is intended to help people show up for court in Buncombe County, but no guarantee is made. Showing up for court remains your responsibility.

Before the signup Enter your cell phone to subscribe to text message reminders of any Buncombe County court dates for this defendant. You will receive two reminders, one a week in advance and one a couple days before the court date.

I'm going to remove this issue from the "Complete Beta" milestone for now. You can either close the issue and add a future enhancement about showing a screenshot of the texts, or modify this one to reflect the revised task.